Molten Aura Labs

Molten Aura Labs, located in Asheville, NC, was started by brothers Adam and Aaron Wiens. Having varied backgrounds, from music to visual arts to engineering, and after years exploring their own different creative paths, they joined forces to create Molten Aura Labs. Aaron designs and builds the furnaces, the rod pulling machines, glass tools, and pretty much anything else required to push the boundaries of manufacturing colored borosilicate at "The Lab."

Adam, digging deeper into glass, led to years of research regarding the chemistry of color; specifically, how to create permanent coloration in high temperature glass melts. That research continues, and is currently being applied to the development of borosilicate glass colors, as well as other unique projects.

How is Molten Aura Labs glass unique?

The glass colors developed at The Lab start as crystalline quartz silica. That silica gets combined with high-purity chemicals, then melted into glass at temperatures exceeding 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. This glass is pulled into rods approximately 6-9mm in diameter and 16-20 inches long.

They strive to make highly saturated, museum quality borosilicate glass colors. Every element used in the glass affects it’s working characteristics in some way. Having complete control over the composition allows us to minimize undesirable traits while maximizing color saturation and usability. No colored glass is going to work exactly like its clear counterpart.

Why make borosilicate colors from sand?

Simply put, Molten Aura wanted stronger colors without sacrificing compatibility. The industry standard process of buying clear glass, grinding it into powder, and adding small amounts of colorants became too limiting. Clear 33CTE borosilicate is essentially 81% Silica, 13% Boron, 4% Alkali, 2% Alumina. As soon as you add anything to the clear cullet to colorize it, you alter that ratio, changing its work-ability and it’s CTE.

In addition to enhanced saturation levels, in many cases Molten Aura is able to improve the working properties, stabilize the compositions, and minimize, if not eliminate air bubbles. Their vision is to propel a new generation of borosilicate artwork forward with the richness and optical clarity that has been a staple in soft glass for centuries.

We see SANDCRAFTED® glass as the logical next frontier for discerning borosilicate artists.

AuraTones™

Royal Jelly - Molten Aura Labs

Royal Jelly is a juicy purple colored AuraTone™. This is a saturated gold-based color that self-strikes and looks good in any light. It works smoothly in a wide range of flame types. Radiant, or “incidental” heat will enhance the inner glow. So the thicker a section is, and the more it is worked/sculpted/roasted, the more Aura will develop. This color is slightly stiffer than clear and requires higher temperatures for proper annealing.

Garage often and give the piece plenty of soak time based on its size and shape. Recommended Garage/Anneal temp 1085°F

Telemagenta - Molten Aura Labs

Telemagenta is a gorgeous magenta AuraTone™. This is a saturated gold-based color that self-strikes and looks good in any light. It works smoothly in a wide range of flame types. Radiant, or “incidental” heat will enhance the inner glow. So the thicker a section is, and the more it is worked/sculpted/roasted, the more Aura will develop. This color is slightly stiffer than clear and requires higher temperatures for proper annealing.

Garage often and give the piece plenty of soak time based on its size and shape. Recommended Garage/Anneal temp 1085°F

Plantphibian - Molten Aura Labs

Plantphibian is an amazing green AuraTone™ suggestive of chlorophyll or frog skin. It works smoothly in a wide range of flame types. Radiant, or "incidental" heat will grow the inner atmosphere. This color is slightly stiffer than clear and requires higher temperatures for proper annealing.

Garage often and give the piece plenty of soak time based on its size and shape. Garage/Anneal temp: 1085°F

Neptune - Molten Aura Labs

Neptune is a lovely blue AuraTone™. It works smoothly in a wide range of flame types. Radiant, or "incidental" heat will grow the inner atmosphere. It is also typically more pronounced in thicker forms. This color is slightly stiffer than clear and requires higher temperatures for proper annealing.

Garage often and give the piece plenty of soak time based on its size and shape. Garage/Anneal temp: 1085°F

Moonstone - Molten Aura Labs

Opalescent and super smooth, Moonstone is very flame-friendly. We suggest a neutral flame, but it can be used in a variety of flame types. Use it over or under any 33CTE compatible glass to create your own AuraTones. It can also be layered with clear to mimic silver fuming.

This color is slightly stiffer than clear and requires higher temperatures for proper annealing. Garage often and give the piece plenty of soak time based on its size and shape. Recommended Garage/Anneal temp: 1100°F.

Meta-Terrania Rod - Molten Aura Labs

Meta-Terrania is an aqua-colored AuraTone™ This landmark color has been completely reformulated and joins our growing palette of beautiful SANDCRAFTED® colors. Neutral to slightly reducing flame recommended, depending on your torch. Strong reducing flames will bring out copper tones. A clear encasement can be helpful to avoid copper precipitation. Garage often and give the piece plenty of soak time based on its size and shape. Recommended Garage/Anneal temp 1100°F

Meta-Terrania is a transparent turquoise colored glass. We added some haziness to enhance its briny, sea water quality. Thicker areas tend to exhibit this hazy quality more. Careful flame striking can bring out more of the haziness and make the color appear more blue.

This color doesn't like too much oxygen. You may get a “scuzz” showing up with a flame that is too aggressive. It can be minimized and usually avoided by a more reducing flame and/or by burning off the layer of “haze” that develops. This is similar to an amber/purple color in that the metals giving the glass it's color are precipitating to the surface when the glass reaches a certain working temperature. Encasing in clear can eliminate surface issues as well.

There may be variances in the color and density of the rods – even from the same batch. This does not affect the final worked color.

Always begin working Meta-Terrania in a reducing flame, after a core heat has been achieved, a more aggressive neutral flame can be used. Heating too aggressively with too much oxygen present will cause a film to develop on the surface at the edge of the puddle. For some seals one will need to use an aggressive flame.

To avoid buildup, while using an aggressive flame, switch back to a reducing flame and flash the area near the edge of the puddle keeping it hot, but still cool enough to maintain structure. If any film does develop, a coating of soot followed by a slow heating until completely molten can totally reverse any surface issues.

GemTones™

Gold Ruby - Molten Aura Labs

Gold Ruby is a rich, smooth working GemTone™ made entirely from scratch here in the USA. Rods may vary from pink to a clear tint, but will self-strike to a gorgeous cranberry hue in the flame. For very small applications, try gathering the rod and pulling down to desired diameter to develop the color. For hollow work, we recommend solid color blowouts to fully appreciate the clarity and saturation of this Museum-Quality glass.

Garage/Anneal temp: 1065°F

Gold Amethyst - Molten Aura Labs

Gold Amethyst is a rich, smooth working GemTone™ made entirely from scratch here in the USA. Rods may vary from blue to purple, but will self-strike to a deep amethyst hue in the flame. For very small applications, try gathering the rod and pulling down to desired diameter to develop the color. For hollow work, we recommend solid color blowouts to fully appreciate the clarity and saturation of this Museum-Quality glass.

Garage/Anneal temp: 1065°F

OpalTones™

Lotus White - Molten Aura Labs

Lotus White is a next level white. This OpalTone™ is dense, smooth to work, and leaves a bright, glossy surface.

Garage/Anneal temp: 1100°F

Deja Blue - Molten Aura Labs

Deja Blue is a rich, royal blue color. This glass is designed to retain it's color when worked thin, and also not darken when thick. Use a neutral flame and heat it slowly when first introducing to the flame.